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5 VoIP problems that are now extinct

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The first glimpse of VoIP began over 40 years ago and it has truly been transformed with the proliferation of commercial VoIP service providers. There were kinks to be ironed out, but those problems have become a thing of the past. Here are the painful VoIP problems that have been fixed for the modern user.

#1: VoIP is unreliable

Things were different in the early 2000s. There were delays, echoes and R2D2 like sounds with poor broadband quality. But the issue has never been VoIP technology itself, which can deliver high definition calling that far exceeds call qualities of the analogue system. The progress has been in better network prioritization. VoIP suffered initially because it shared the network with other data traffic that caused Jitter and latency issues. Packets travel over a wider range of frequencies now, making congestion less frequent and VoIP QoS much more consistent.

VoIP suffered initially because it shared the network with other data traffic that caused Jitter and latency issues. Packets travel over a wider range of frequencies now, making congestion less frequent and VoIP QoS much more consistent.

OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing) uses multipoint relays to manage packet forwarding, neighbour sensing, and topology discovery pick the best or most high quality signal route, ensuring VoIP is more reliable than it was in the past. In fact, the use of the latest WebRTC and HD audio codecs offers better crystal clear voice quality today. (We use it!) Check out this video on the quality in HD Voice:

#2: It’s too much of a hassle to set up or manage

In its early days, VoIP was more difficult when there was a lack of providers with heavy and expensive technology. The proliferation of cloud computing and the SaaS/Digital marketplace have changed the situation, allowing any developer to add a VoIP service with API libraries.

The scalability of VoIP services allows for staggered use of services and less redundancy in a glut of features, needed only in the later stages of growth in a company.

There is technically no limit to the number of users you can add, so your phone system’s capacity will be in line with the progress of any company. A Cloud VoIP phone system allows for the addition of new features and capabilities easily without any disruption or hardware requirements. Here at Sinch, all you need is a few lines of code with our SDK to set it up!

#3: VoIP is not secure

Cyber security is more critical than ever especially when 2014 was the year of the hacker, with major data breaches and scandals. But we predict 2015 is set to be the year of privacy and anonymity. Voice allows you to connect with another person’s smartphone, computer, or even within an app – all without having to share your sensitive or personal contact information. Voice plays a major part in the privacy protection puzzle – what’s more, it can easily be used by businesses and individuals alike. After all, you shouldn’t have to have a Fortune 500 budget to enjoy the privacy protections you deserve. Check out our guide to best privacy practices and don’t forget about two-factor authentication!

With the ability to use existing infrastructure, lower startup costs and a unified communication within teams, it allows for flexibility and connecting globally instantly.

VoIP runs on the same network as data, which means traditional costs from phone packages that require separate networks and hardware for voice and data are not applicable, making it simpler and faster for small businesses to set up.

#5: VoIP is expensive

With more than 50% in savings on a monthly phone bill, VoIP is extremely affordable with no upfront equipment costs, no installation fees, no IT support fees and lower monthly costs, making VoIP a much more viable solution for any business. The myths of VoIP spread like a plague from the early 2000s, when the internet was slow and the cloud was a dream. The digital landscape today, along with the ubiquity of mobile and prevalence of apps make VoIP a very different proposition with a simple, high quality solution for businesses of all sizes. Fun fact: It is even free at Sinch if you have below 25,000 active users per month.

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